How to Open and Configure Xiaomi Widgets: A Complete Guide to All Models

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are mini-apps that display current information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, quick settings or data from apps. However, many users face difficulties in activating them – especially after the update. MIUI In this article, we will discuss all ways to open widgets on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including hidden functions and solutions to typical problems.

It is important to understand that the widget interface in MIUI It's different from standard Android. It doesn't have a classic long tap on the screen, instead it uses a unique gesture system and menu (MIUI 14/15), And there are alternatives for older models, and if you can't find widgets after the upgrade, or if they're gone, then here's the solution.

1. The standard way to open widgets on Xiaomi (MIUI 14/15)

In the latest versions MIUI The algorithm for adding widgets has changed, and now it uses a special menu that can be called in two ways:

• 📱 A long tap on the empty space on the screen → Select “Widgets” in the lower menu.
• 🔧 Press any widget (such as weather) and drag it to the “Delete” zone – a list of all available widgets will open.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Main screen screen → Widgets (on some models, the path may be different).

After opening the widget menu, you will see two tabs:

• “Recommended” – widgets from Xiaomi (weather, calendar, steps, smart home).
• “All widgets” – including third-party apps (Google, Spotify, Yandex, etc.).

To add a widget to the screen:

1. Click on the desired widget and hold it.
2. Drag to a free space on the home screen or in the notification bar (for quick settings widgets).
3. Release your finger, the widget will lock, and some widgets (like weather) allow you to resize by stretching corners.

Does the long tap on the screen work?

Is the firmware up to date MIUI 14/15?

Is there a free space on the main screen?

Is Developer Mode Enabled (for Hidden Widgets)?-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 after update to MIUI 15 widgets can hide behind a swipe gesture to the left of the main screen. Try this method if the standard method does not work.

2. Alternative ways to open widgets (if the standard one does not work)

If the widget menu doesn’t open through the long tap, try these methods:

• 🔄 Launcher reboot: Press the Home button (or swipe up and hold), then select "Relaunch."This will reset the launcher's cache and can bring back the disappeared widgets.
• 📲 Gesture usage: On some firmware, widgets swipe to the right of the left-hand screen (as in iOS).
• 🔧 Resetting the launcher settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher MIUI, Click on Storage and select Clear Data, which will delete all your home screen settings, but return the widgets!

For owners. POCO custom-made (POCO Launcher):

1. Install a standard launcher MIUI from the settings → Topics → Launcher.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Try opening widgets in the standard way.

Standard MIUI Launcher|POCO Launcher|Nova Launcher|Other |I don't know-->

3. Why widgets don't open: common problems and solutions

If the widgets are missing or do not respond to clicks, the reasons may be as follows:

Special attention should be paid to the developer mode. on some models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi). K60) System application widgets (e.g., Smart Home) require activation of this mode:

Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Include

⚠️ Note: If after updating to MIUI 15 Google widgets (search, calendar) are missing, install the Google App app from the Play Market and restart your phone.This is due to changes in Xiaomi's policy on integrating Google services.

4. Hidden widgets and secret functions MIUI

V MIUI There are widgets that don’t appear in the main menu, but can be useful:

• 🔍 Search widget: Allows you to search files, settings and apps directly from the home screen. To activate it, install Quick Search Box from the Play Market and add a widget through the menu.
• 📊 System Statistics widget: Shows boot CPU, RAM Available only when the developer mode is on (see section above).
• 🔋 Battery Widget: Displays detailed charge flow statistics. To add it, go to Settings → Battery → Battery widget.
• 🏠 Smart Home widget: Manage Xiaomi Smart Home devices directly from the screen. Requires the Mi Home app installed.

For models with Always-On Display (Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) Widgets are available on a locked screen:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Always-On Display.
2. Select the display style (e.g., Digital Watch or Animation).
3. Activate the “Show widgets” option and select the right ones (weather, notifications, steps).

5. Widgets on POCO Redmi: Features and differences

Linear devices POCO Redmi often has modified versions. MIUI, What's going on with widgets? Here's the key difference:

• 📱 POCO F5/X5: Widgets open through double tap on the screen (setting in Settings) → Gestures → Double tap).
• 🔥 Redmi Note 12: Weather and calendar widgets are hidden by default – you need to activate them in Settings → Main screen screen → System widgets.
• ⚡ POCO Launcher: Does not support Xiaomi widgets (third-party only.

Nana POCO s POCO Launcher widgets are added differently:

1. Long tap on the screen → «Home screen settings».
2. Select "Widgets» → find the right one on the list.
3. Drag on the screen. Note: Xiaomi widgets (weather, smart home) are not available here!

For Redmi with MIUI Lite (Light Firmware) widgets can be disabled by default to return them:

Settings → Additional → Full version of MIUI → Install

After the reboot, a full widget menu will appear.

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If you POCO If Redmi doesn’t have the right widget, try installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion) that supports all widgets, including Xiaomi’s system widgets, and offers flexible sizing and transparency settings.

6. Customization and customization of widgets

Xiaomi widgets can be added, but also deeply customized.

• 🎨 Size change: Click on the widget and hold, then pull around corners (doesn't work for all widgets).
• ⚙️ Display settings: Tap on the widget → «Settings" (for example, for a weather widget, you can select a city, units of measurement, display style).
• 🔄 Data Update: Some widgets (like currency rates) are updated manually - pull the widget down like a notification list.
• 📌 Fixing on all screens: In the widget menu, select “Fix” to show up on all desktops.

For widgets of the Smart Home (Mi Home) are available additional options:

1. Open the widget and click "Configure".
2. Select the devices that will be displayed (lamps, sockets, sensors).
3. Set up the order of display by drag and drop.
4. Activate the Quick Actions option to manage without opening the application.

Xiaomi. 13/14 s MIUI 15 We've got dynamic widgets that change their appearance depending on the time of day or the weather:

Settings → Main screen → Dynamic widgets → Enable

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Widgets on Xiaomi can be grouped! To create a group, drag one widget to another and hold it. This is useful for organizing the desktop (for example, all weather and time widgets in the same group).

7. Solving problems with widgets: errors and bugs

If the widgets don’t work properly, use these tips:

For Google widgets (search, calendar, drive), a common problem is the lack of sync.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for the right services.
3. If the widget still doesn’t work, delete and add your Google account again.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) Google widgets may be blocked due to regional restrictions.If you use firmware for China, install Google Play Services manually via APKMirror.

8 Widgets on Xiaomi Tablet and Mi Pad: features

On Xiaomi tablets (Mi Pad) 6, Xiaomi Pad 5/6 Pro) widgets work differently due to adaptive interface MIUI Here's the key difference:

• 🖥️ Widgets can be added not only to the main screen, but also to the side panel (swipe on the right).
• 🔄 The size of the widgets is automatically adjusted to the orientation of the screen (book / album).
• 🎯 For the stylus (Xiaomi Smart Pen) available special widgets notes and drawing.

To add a widget to the sidebar:

1. Swipe to the right of the screen to open the panel.
2. Click on "Edit" (pencil icon).
3. Select "Widgets" and drag the desired one to the panel.

The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro features a unique Multiwindow widget that allows you to quickly open apps in split-screen mode.

Settings → Special features → Multi-window → Enable widget

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On Xiaomi tablets, widgets support Drag & Drop mode – you can drag and drop files and text straight from the widget to the app (for example, a photo from the Gallery widget into a message).

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi